Matt Hancock dodges questions about the loophole as savvy landlords reveal Tier 2 plans

Savvy landlords have announced their plans to continue drawing pints in Tier 2 areas despite severe restrictions as thousands of eager Brits flocked to watering holes for the first time in a month today.

The shrewd landlords of so-called "wet pubs", who normally don't serve food, are joining forces with takeaways to keep serving drinks.

All pubs in Tier 2 areas must serve a "full meal" of alcoholic beverages under new rules that come into effect today after the end of the one-month national lockdown in England.

But these no kitchen pubs are now preparing to serve takeout to keep the pints flowing.

A Worcester pub is partnering with a local fish and chip shop to provide food to drinkers, while a bar in central London plans to let customers order McDonald's to bypass the rules.

It comes from keen pub-goers returning to the watering holes for a full English breakfast as a pint this morning after being locked out for a month during the national shutdown.

In the meantime, Matt Hancock dodged questions today to fill a void where pubs could join forces with takeaways to keep drawing pints.

In the final round of interviews with ministers standing over food and pubs before a barbecue evening, the health minister masked questions about whether watering holes could use snack services to keep serving alcoholic beverages.

Instead, he said it was "very clear the legal principles of what is expected and what is not," and warned those who break the law to stand trial.

One pub that wants take-away help is G-A-Y-Bar in Soho, London.

The bar does not normally serve food. But it is preparing for customers to have McDonald's delivered to bypass the rules.

Owner Jeremy Joseph told the Sun, "McDonald's was chosen for its cheap menu, which means anyone can socialize regardless of their budget."

In Worcester, a pub works with a nearby fish and chip shop to stay open on Tier 2 rules.

Mark and Debie Daniels of The Brewers Arms, who don't have a kitchen, have teamed up with Nick Zipiti of St. John's Fish Bar, according to Worcester News.

This means The Brewers Arms can continue to draw pints – which they otherwise couldn't do without serving a hearty meal alongside.

The pub is open during the normal chip shop hours and customers are asked to order food from the bar before they can buy a drink.

Mr. Daniels told the newspaper: “This partnership has allowed us to reopen as we don't have a kitchen on site. We went to the council and they were impressed with the idea and allowed us to work that way for the time being. I am very pleased. & # 39;

Another host in a pub jokingly renamed an ale to "Substantial Meal" to circumvent the new Covid-19 restrictions.

Brett Mendoza, 40, who owns the Caxton Arms in Brighton, East Sussex, got the idea while discussing what constitutes an essential meal with another landlord after the latest moves were announced last week.

An image of the fake beer pump clip, taken from the "made-up brewery" and described as "hearty, filling and tasty," was posted on social media last Wednesday titled "Bring on Tier 2".

The post garnered over 1,600 likes and more than 200 shares, with one social media user commenting: "Together with a bag of chips and a pickled egg, a meal that's enough for everyone."

Another simply tweeted, "Brilliant," while a third added, "I love this".

It is because Matt Hancock dodged the question today of whether pubs and takeaways in tier 2 areas could join forces to keep waterholes serving alcohol.

In today's conversation with Sky News, Mr. Hancock was repeatedly asked whether a snack could be delivered in a “wet pub” to serve alcoholic beverages to customers in tier 2.

He said, “We have made the legal principles very clear about what is expected and what is not. If you break this law, it is clearly stated. & # 39;

He added: “It is up to the courts to interpret each individual case. We will absolutely prevail against these laws. & # 39;

He continued: “The courts interpret the law established by parliament for this country.

“When people break this law, the courts must determine it based on individual circumstances.

"I don't think it is acceptable to go beyond the limits of these rules and it is up to the courts to interpret the law."

Meanwhile, today's debate over the Scotch Egg Gate is raging – the dispute over whether or not a Scotch egg can be an essential meal.

Mr Hancock appeared to be causing confusion over the treatment of eggs and meat in bed after Ministers blurred the lines with repeated changes of course yesterday.

Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove gave three different lines in three different interviews yesterday morning when asked about scotch eggs, which have become an unusual but important topic of conversation in the government's new Covid-19 tier system.

Regarding Scottish eggs, Hancock told Sky News, “A full meal is an established concept of hospitality.

“A Scottish egg, of course, served as an essential meal – that is an essential meal.

"We don't have to try to cross borders, we all have to take responsibility for our own actions."

He added, “The rules are the two different types of hospitality – those who obviously serve meals and those who don't.

"So a starter can be an essential meal, you can have a Scottish egg as a starter."

He said he wanted to move away from "picking at the borders".

It comes like yesterday when a dispute deepened over whether a Scottish egg can be classified as an "essential meal" under rules that only allow alcohol to be served with food from today.

Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove told LBC two Scottish eggs would be "a starter" 24 hours after Environment Secretary George Eustice said one was a significant meal.

Mr Gove reiterated his stance on LBC in a second interview on Good Morning Britain yesterday – before tracing ITV News and then saying, "A Scottish egg is an essential meal."

The confusion came after the government said that people who join Tier 2 starting today must have a "full meal" in order to buy a beer.

The law states that a large meal "is likely to be served as breakfast, main lunch or main dinner or as the main course of such a meal".

Some pubs have now launched new menus, one of which offers a "Boris Menu" for £ 1.99 – while Wetherspoon has launched a new range of breakfast muffins.

The landlords accused the government of "not clarifying" the essential eating rule.

An Essex pub has launched a new simplified menu for £ 1.99 so customers can enjoy alcoholic beverages without having to spend a lot of money or have a large meal.

The Kings Head in Gosfield is called "The Boris Menu" and serves plates like a hot dog and chips. baked beans on toast with cheese; and cheeseburgers and fries.

38-year-old pub owner Matthew Arnold told Essex Live, “Every time a new regulation is put in place, pubs spend a lot of time and money.

"It's the frustration that started the menu idea initially at the same time it was serving customers who don't necessarily want a large and expensive meal every time they visit us."

Meanwhile, ahead of tomorrow's reopening, the pub chain Wetherspoon has launched a new breakfast menu that includes a muffin range and brings the price of coffee and tea down to 99p.

Customers can choose from four new breakfast muffins – egg and bacon; Egg and sausage; Breakfast (with bacon and sausage); and egg and cheese.

Other pubs have long rules written on their website to keep customers safe.

The tailors at Cambray Place, Cheltenham have compiled a list of 17 things customers should know before entering the watering hole.

The list includes a recommendation to reserve a table in advance, seating rules, and a warning that customers sitting outside will not receive refunds for unfinished meals and drinks in bad weather.

Other pubs in Tier 2 have announced that they won't open at all, even though they are allowed to.

The Royal Standard near Weymouth remains closed, according to a post on its Facebook page.

It said: “After the announcement, we made the heartbreaking decision to unfortunately remain closed until the next review on Friday, December 16th.

“We had planned to restart our food, but the limitations of the policy forced us to make that decision. On behalf of the entire team here, we thank you for your continued support and hope to see you all again soon.

"Stay safe, gang, and we'll get bigger and better again."

Another pub, also called the Royal Standard, this time in Yeovil, will also remain closed.

A post on his Facebook page said: “After the announcement of the introduction of the new levels.

“With a heavy heart we will not reopen on December 3rd as planned.

"As soon as we return to the first stage, we will open our doors again to all our dear customers!"

In the meantime, the punters have enjoyed the return of the pubs.

The intensive care nurses Juan Garcia (27) and Francisco Sanchez (28) had come straight to the pub from a night shift in a nearby hospital.

The couple, who originally came from Spain, put half a liter of orange juice in breakfast muffins.

"We just finished a night shift and came right here for breakfast, which feels good," said Garcia.

Mr. Sanchez added, "It's actually a tradition. It's good to be back

"But I don't get a beer because if I did I would pass out after all the work."

Mr Garcia said he did not understand why people should be forced to eat with their drink.

"I don't know what this is about. If you want more drinks you can just go from pub to pub," he said.

"It's not going to work – like a lot of the things you did."

Damian Brady, 66, enjoyed a drink over asparagus with regulars Steve Baker, 65, and boyfriend Sidney.

Mr Brady ordered a Kronenbourg with his full English breakfast but was frustrated with the government's new rules.

He told MailOnline: "This breakfast will be the slowest breakfast in history. I'm still here at 4pm." One bean, two beans …

“The government has no idea – the rules are absolutely childish. There is no set pattern at all. "

Mr Brady tried to order a second beer when the waitress was delivering his breakfast but was informed by his friends that it was against the rules.

"I tried and I failed," he joked. "The rules remind me of a puzzle – it's almost that complicated.

"At the same time, it's great to come into the pub and talk to people."

"Even though I was happy at home – four cans of Stella, £ 5.50 and four cans of Guinness, £ 5 – I was in my element."

"Let's have a cooked breakfast and a beer!": Tier 2 drinkers are happy when the ban ends, while Tier 3 drinkers long for the pub – as the landlords are prepared for a busy day they serve "rich meals".

England's second national lockdown ended overnight and caused a wave of excitement on social media as people prepared to return to the pubs – and landlords prepared for a busy day serving "hearty meals" .

Social media users rejoiced this morning with the end of the month-long shutdown that ended overnight.

The blocking rules will be replaced by a new tiered system from today. The rules stipulate that pubs in Tier 2 areas, including London and much of the Southeast, can reopen.

Hours after the ban was lifted, tier 2 social media users quickly showed their willingness to return to the pubs.

But those in Tier 3, where pubs and restaurants are only open for takeout, had to long for a beer.

A Twitter user, Neil Hughes, said, "I'll make a hot breakfast and a beer."

No, Evans said, “We made it to the end of the lockdown. See use (sic) in the pub for 5 Guinness and a Cesar salad. & # 39;

Another said, "Lockdown is over, you can catch me in the pub with my friends tonight unless you're in tier 2 or 3."

Another Twitter user said, "I'm getting ready to go to the pub tomorrow."

Jo Mac, a Twitter user, said, “And we're not banned anymore! Wohoooo !!! Who would want to come to the pub with me to have a beer and a good meal? «

Another said: & # 39; Woohoo! The blocking has ended. We are free to have a beer in the pub.

“With a Scottish egg, of course. Do we have to sit at a table and eat it with a knife and fork, or can we stand at the bar? & # 39;

Another said, "Lockdown is over, you can catch me in the pub with my friends tonight unless you're in tier 2 or 3."

But while the folks in Tier 2 were excited to go to the pub, the folks in Tier 3 craved a beer.

One said: & # 39; Back to Tier 3, well done everyone! – Now let's get Tier 2 so I can go to the pub! & # 39;

Another said, “Oh great, after four weeks I can go back to non-essential stores. But not to the pub or anything pleasant.

"Tier 1 before the lockdown, Tier 3 today, utter madness."